Monday, March 21, 2016

VON ORMY – The Southwest High School (SWHS) Band has a different answer to the pop culture question “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Not only did the band have to practice, practice, practice-they had to send in an audition with musical samples to be invited.

More than a hundred students - 111 to be exact- will leave for the Big Appleon Thursdaymorning, in preparation for their performance at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, March 26. The high school’s two wind ensembles were selected to perform at the prestigious venue. Wind Ensemble A will perform at9:30 a.m.and Wind Ensemble B will perform at11:30 a.m.on Saturday.

The students have been busy rehearsing over Spring Break, and a have a busy schedule this week, complete with a Fine Arts Pep Rally in their honoron Tuesdayat8 a.m., hosted by the SWHS athletes and spirit organizations.On Thursday, they will depart at3:15 a.m.from the high school to the San Antonio International Airport, where they are scheduled to take their flight at6 a.m.While in New York, the students will visit the Empire State Building, enjoy a walking tour of Times Square, visit the Statue of Liberty, and watch the Broadway Shows, Les Miserables and Wicked.

For many students, this is the first time ever flying on a plane, and for some, even leaving the State. For high school junior, Ti Mitchell, an autistic student at SWHS, this is more than a once in a life-time opportunity, this is something that his entire family never imagined would happen.

Friday, March 11, 2016

VON ORM – Did you know that Mariachi is now a recognized UIL Event? The inaugural UIL State Mariachi Festival will be held this weekend, beginning at5 p.m.on Fri., March 11and continuing throughSat., March 12 at 10 p.m.at Southwest High School.

Southwest High School’s Mariachi Los Dragones takes the competition stage onSat., March 12 at 5:15 p.m.Mariachi groups that are competing at the State level have advanced through various rounds of competition all held within the last few weeks to get to this moment. During those stages of competition, the judges were looking for tone intonation, instrumental technique, interpretation and showmanship in the groups that they selected to advance.

“It is a privilege and honor to be hosting this event at SWISD not only because we have always been very supportive of incorporating the mariachi program at our campuses, but also because we are happy to see that Mariachi music is finally a recognized part of the Texas education system,” said Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft, Superintendent of SWISD. Mariachi Los Dragones has hosted the MASBA State competition for the past two years, and hosting the UIL Competition is a task that the District has been preparing for several months.